INCOMING NANITES

  STRIKE BACK

  Y/N

  I was about to hit the Y and send my own into full on war with whatever was invading us, but I felt something else. There was incoming kenosi, just like what was given to me almost on death’s door the last time we fought.

  DO YOU WISH TO ACCEPT THE OFFERING OF KENOSI FROM YOUR ENEMY?

  Y/N

  I don’t understand, I projected outwards. We struggled forward and backwards.

  Hiroto was the one who clicked the Y, and the incoming energy felt amazing. I knew I’d hold my own against them.

  Xe’s voice came through then. The nites aren’t here to hurt. They want to help.

  Then came the incoming voice of the mech merge leader. “Ya need ta make this look real, Kyle.”

  “What?”

  “Ya need ta make it look real.”

  The Swift Beards then shoved me off, and with the timing out, I struck with my sword and sliced into their shoulder, then caught their arm once more with the upper counter.

  2-6

  Even with their extra energy, I had started to falter again. I could feel Yun had taken some; even he was being supplied by the others in our fleet. I felt myself failing. Everything around me was getting fuzzy. The arena blurred.

  Hold it together! came the resounding chorus from the others inside me.

  The Swift Beards’ downward strike sliced at my chest. Then on the upward counter they managed to hook the axe behind my knee. I felt the pain ripping into the mech’s armour, and I knew pain receptors were getting turned off all over.

  4-6

  With nothing left inside me to counter with a sword, I called the full force of what I had in kenosi and lashed out with a full-on Lightning Strike.

  The Swift Beards fell backwards, and it was counted as a hit.

  4-7

  The voice came to me again, “You need those points. Fo’ fucks sake, laddie, take us down.”

  I heard a ping, felt the next level up, and Hiroto threw all the points into Constitution. I knew I needed them for longevity, but here, now, I didn’t know what they’d do.

  I had to get in the last two defensive points to push me up into the next round.

  As I straightened out, the Swift Beards’ lead growled at me. “That’s the kind of fight I need. Now give me everything you have!” And they lunged at me, the sheer speed of their axe worrying me. I stepped in, making sure they never got a strike or that deadly counter in. I lunged right for where it would hurt on their downward motion. Right for their upper breastplate. They didn’t even get to raise the axe, their counter and energy drained on that hit.

  CRITICAL DAMAGE

  I pulled the sword out, knowing I needed to end this now. Five seconds on the clock. I pushed them off, and with my next strike, I sliced through their arm in one clean full hit.

  Their axe clattered to the floor, their mech merge failing around them. I managed to hold us together, knowing if we lost it, if we lost our merge too, it would be classed as a draw. When the timer ticked off, I let the merge fall apart.

  I didn’t need to know I was hurting, that everyone on my team was. Med techs rushed into the arena, and I had people crowding around me within seconds. I looked to the dwarven merge team before me. The lead was standing over her mate; he wasn’t moving. I tried to push myself upwards. There was little strength in my arms.

  Hiroto, I said. It’s not ending like this.

  With every ounce of energy I had left, I stood. I staggered towards her, falling over before the both of them.

  You don’t have enough kenosi, Hiroto said.

  His words fell on deaf ears. I had enough. I was at fourteen percent health; he was at two percent and did look as though he had already passed.

  I felt the hand of the dwarven woman reach for me. “Don’t,” she said.

  My kenosi pooled into my hand, and as I placed it to his forehead, it was too late. I just cast Medium Heal, using some of what I had left, but nothing major. His health rose instantly to seven percent, and mine dropped to nine percent.

  She kneeled beside me then. Tears streamed down her face as she almost dragged the now-waking male dwarf up into a kiss. “Ye ol bugger. Donna ever do tha ta me agin.”

  He growled and then collapsed again. I leaned over panting, but happy. You did good there, Hiroto said.

  After what he did for me, there was no way he was going down like that. I watched as several other dwarves rushed in, and so did Tolmol. He did look to me but let my own team members see to me while he helped his sister take her mate off the battlefield.

  The mechs we left where they fell for now. I’d return later with the others, and we’d somehow get them back to our ring.

  I didn’t need to worry. When the med teams had managed to get us back to the ring, there were medical potions and food stuffs fit for kings waiting. Quill and the others made sure we were all rested and sat while they went to get the mechs. They were brought in via any means possible.

  They were in worse shape than ever; there was no way they were fighting again. I was sure they were totally done for.

  I could do nothing but watch as they worked. Spike led the team with precision, and within hours there were deliveries of equipment and more metal than I’d seen in my life. There were also other people; other dwarves came through the shield. I had nothing to say. I just sat watching and drinking, absorbing all the energy around me I needed to get back on my feet.

  I looked at my character sheet. I’d levelled twice. And even Hiroto had placed my first five points into Strength. I still had some to place. I put them into Constitution, knowing I would need them. I felt slightly better with just the extra boost. My skills had really improved, and I stared at them in awe.

  I had actually gone up fourteen ranks in kenosi, taking me past Master! I was ecstatic!

  Kyle Ranz - Contains -

  Name - Hiroto Toshiaki

  Level = 46

  Name - Kyle Ranz

  Human/Denti

  Year of Death- 2629

  Class = Fighter/Sorcerer

  Age 18 + 2

  Level = 64

  Respawns = 3

  Memories = 90%

  Health = 89%

  Kenosi = Rank 103

  Nanites x 144,614

  Body Type = Denti

  Structural Integrity = Tungsten and Alumi

  Internal AI Chip = X Class

  Skin Strength = 81

  Blood Capacity = 79

  Healing Speed = 79

  Overall Personal Level = 667

  Strength = 111

  Dexterity = 23

  Constitution = 172

  Intelligence = 248

  Wisdom = 146

  Charisma = 20

  Luck = 42

  Quick Points = 0

  Mech Warrior Operational Level = 202

  Mech Command - Rank 30

  Battle Mage - Rank 74

  Mech Pilot - Rank 64

  Nanite Engineer - Rank 64

  Nanite Factory – Rank 87

  Human/Machine Interface - Rank 72

  Mech Merge - Rank 71

  Mech Remote Control - Rank 15

  Molecular Insight - Rank 64

  Molecular Manipulation - Rank 49

  Acceleration/Deceleration - Rank 45

  Combustion - Rank 13

  Reversion - Rank 12

  Vrolsh Coding Learned

  CAD Tech - Rank 21

  Kiain Language - Rank 6

  Emaxyol Language - Rank 1

  Shuttle Operator - Rank 17

  Freighter Operator - Rank 12

  Computer Science - Rank 12

  Electronics and Communication - Rank 15

  Electrical Engineering - Rank 18

  Mechanical Engineering - Rank 21

  Information Technology - Rank 24

  Hacker - Rank 30

  Foot Soldier - Rank 29

  Merc - Rank 26

  Sniper - Rank 19

  Gun Smith - Rank 17

  Shadow Awareness - Maxed Out

  Reconstruction Expertise - Rank 25

  Null Gravity Management – Rank 18

  Sword Play - Rank 54

  Emergency Medicine - Rank 18

  Psychology - None Human - Rank 13

  Psychology - Human/Denti - Rank 35

  Muscle Healing - Rank 25

  Poison Resistance - Rank 19

  Viral Fighting - Rank 15

  Night Sight - Rank 23

  Deception - Rank 27

  Negotiator - Rank 42

  Detective - Rank 10

  Space Politics - Rank 12

  Animal Handling - Rank 15

  Soul Split - Rank 5

  Kenosi Merge - Rank Master

  Special Traits Awarded x 3 – Any extras here do not show on your Stat Sheet Totals.

  Healer = Internal AI Chip X Class – Crystalline and Silver metal chip with integrated healer nanites led by Xe.

  Intelligence = Internal prototype AI Chip, inserted on 17th birthday, with consciousness of Hiroto.

  Shade Brain – One in a million, you managed to not only keep your memories, but you can also hide them. Your character sheet is elusive to even the strongest of will. UPGRADED - No one can penetrate your Shade now!

  Spells - Active - Minor Healing = Requires Kenosi of Rank 5

  Spells - Active - Medium Healing = Requires Kenosi of Rank 20

  Spells - Active - Intensive Healing = Requires Kenosi of Rank 50

  Spell - Active - Lightning Fury – Requires Kenosi of Rank 20 – Damage increased by 50%

  Particle projectile cannon

  Uses energy direct from mana reserves

  Can store within battery compartments to aid when needed

  Special attributes – when inside a mech it will enlarge to the size needed by its soul bonded owner

  Familiar - Separated - Penalties induced

  Debt to Darkness - Owed - He will not forget

  Quill was the one who came over to me a while later. He sat down before Tyto and I as we just sat staring at the damage. “It’s going to take a long time. They’re not going to fight against Motaki.”

  I knew that. I nodded. “We’ll need to pull the others out, let Spike and his team make sure they’re running, seeing as they’ve been in storage.”

  I frowned, thinking of what else I’d felt through the fight. “Yun?” I asked.

  “He’s holding on. We’ve been able to take a break while he’s…” he couldn’t say the words, I knew. “While he’s not being tortured.”

  “Fucking pricks.” Tyto spat at my side. “They need to die, now.”

  I could only nod. Then there was a knock at the shield wall.

  “Who is it?”

  “It’s the dwarven leader,” Hiroto said, pulling up her image. This time she looked to be in more subtle clothing. Not quite as much armour. She was still intimidating to look at.

  I moved to the panel, and within a second, the shield flickered, and she stepped inside. She looked not at me but at the mechs and moved towards mine. I stood, although still a little shaky. When I went to step away, I turned to Tyto. “Get the other mechs down. And our other team.”

  He nodded. “On it.”

  I stepped away from them, and they didn’t follow. I stood beside her as she placed a hand to the side of my mech, shook her head, and then moved away. “It won’t be fixed so easily. The kenosi pathways are broken beyond even my skill set.”

  “You’re pretty skilled to see that,” I said and placed my own hand to its surface. I hadn’t been in any fit state to assess it as I made my way back here.

  “Yes, I am. I’m also skilled enough to know you left your command post in the middle of our fight. What I want to know is why the hell ye’d do tha’.”

  “I’m here for the Blood Rats,” I answered honestly. “I’m why the games were held off.”

  “The rumours were all true then?” she asked. “I feel the unease here. The kenosi isn’t good. I also saw you draw on that, too.”

  “You’re very perceptive,” I said. “I don’t know your name, sorry.”

  “I’ll tell ye me name when I think ya deserve the honour.” Her green eyes held mine, but there was a smile there. “Where did ye go?”

  I looked back to the others. Saw Tyto was communicating—with Vitya, no doubt. The dwarf leader could also see this.

  “I went into the bowels of this station,” I answered honestly. “Where they’re torturing my familiar.”

  She frowned. “Ye brought a pet with ya?”

  “No,” I said. “They kidnapped him on Drudel.”

  She reached for my arm. “Wait a minute. You were the ones ambushed on Rojak Fallak’s home planet?”

  I looked to her hand, which was sparking kenosi. She will know in an instant if you lie here, Hiroto said.

  I had no intentions of lying. “Yes, they kidnapped my friend and killed me.”

  “Ah, you respawned, though.” She removed her hand. “I have a small fleet in that sector. They were moving in for supplies when they got word Rojak had declared a state of no sales. We are here in the hopes that we won enough to purchase weaponry for defence.”

  “Defence?” I swallowed. “What do you mean?”

  “You haven’t seen this area of space, have ye, Kyle?” I shook my head. “Then I have a few things you need ta see. I believe you should come with me.”

  I looked to the others. “Do we have time? I need to recharge a lot.”

  “I’ll make sure ye get the right medical attention so you’re at full strength. Where we’re going is quite the trip. We might only get ye back before the fight.”

  “You really think this has to be seen right now?”

  “If ye don’t see it now, all could be lost.”

  That’s quite the bold statement, Hiroto said.

  I agreed. I couldn’t not take it. Everything could be lost. I had to find out what the hell she was talking about.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  I moved in beside Tyto. He was looking at a blank screen. I noticed his hand on the computer station’s table. His skin parted, and he was direct linking outside of the network in here. The female leader stepped in beside me. “What he’s doing is illegal.”

  I glanced to her and placed my hand next to his. “Would you like to see?”

  Tyto didn’t flinch as my connections mixed in with his, and I was linked in securely with the conversation.

  When the woman joined us and Vitya’s face appeared before all of us, he didn’t flinch.

  “Seems Kyle is making friends?” he asked Tyto.

  “Yes. She commands one of the opposing teams.”

  “She any good?” Vitya asked.

  I think it was the fact he didn’t address her which annoyed her.

  “I’ll have ye know we’re runners up two years in a row,” she said.

  She was even more angry. I put my arm around her shoulders. A little closer than I’d like, yet I wanted her to feel this connection in a way she hadn’t. “Please, Vitya, report.”

  His demeanour changed then. “All ships are in position for the jump. When you are against Motaki in the final, we will hit the denti home world with everything we have.”

  I felt her physically shiver beneath me. I just pulled her closer while he continued.

  That was when in the background the shadow of a Sitha showed. I felt the dwarf stiffen even more. “What is that?” Then as the form solidified. “No!” she screamed at me and disconnected.

  I pulled my own hand back and moved after her. She was going for the shield. “Wait,” I said. “You wanted to show me something? Well, I showed you something else first. You needed to hear what was really at stake.”

  “And you must come with me now. Because no matter what you think, you don’t understand everything. You can’t.” She held her hand out. “My name is G’hale. The man who helped you earlier is my mate, Drofu.”

  “Where are we going, G’hale?” I asked, shaking her hand.

  “My ship.”

  “Are we allowed to leave?”

  “You spoke to a fleet off a planet thousands of light years away, about to ‘space jump’ right to the denti home world. If we’re not allowed to leave, we’ll soon know it.” She stopped near the shield. “Your familiar is really a Sitha?”

  I was the one who shivered this time. “Not just a Sitha,” I said. “The Sitha. He’s their prince.”

  She smiled at me then. “Oh, dear, Kyle. You have no ideas really, do you?” I could only shrug. “Even I know word got around the Sitha queen had died. They were indeed looking for the prince to anoint him as king.”

  Hearing her say it made my heart sink. “It was all my fault,” I admitted. “They got him because of me.”

  Her hand pushed gently at the shield wall, and Tyto let her out. I went to step in beside her and kept quiet now outside of the protective shield wall. Though there were many questions I wanted to ask her.

  I was sure walking together we looked odd: a denti—albeit not a very healthy one—and the strongest-looking short woman I’d ever seen. I watched her carefully as she walked. Her powerful legs kept a pace any man would struggle to keep up with, and her fiery red hair swayed to and fro, but no one looked our way. “I need to stop and see my clan first. I won’t be a minute.”

  “You won’t tell them anything?”

  “They don’t need to know anything yet. But as soon as we merge, they will. You understand?”

  I nodded and waited while she went inside her own shield. She appeared a moment later with the other young dwarf with her. “Good to see ye again,” he said to me. “This trip’s got me runnin’ scared. Ye know what the fuck ye doing here, boy?”

  She leaned in close to him, untucked the plait from his collar. A strange show of affection I never expected from someone so headstrong “Trust me, he does.”